Texas Trade Wind Anemometer: Bidding Farewell To Omar
Joey MatschulatFrom the "I Really Wanted To Write Something More Substantive But Ran Out Of Time" department:
● According to major league sources, free agent shortstop Omar Vizquel will not return to the Rangers in 2010; per one source, Vizquel would prefer to sign on with a "higher-profile team" in a similar utility role (Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, FOXSports.com)
● Texas isn't interested in orchestrating a Kevin Millwood-for-Milton Bradley trade; the Cubs and Rays are presently discussing a Bradley-for-Pat Burrell deal, but contractual differences are acting as a major impediment to negotiations which one source described as being "worse than Chinese water torture" (Jeff Wilson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Rosenthal and Morosi)
● Free agent right-hander John Lackey has reportedly told friends that he would consider pitching for the Rangers, but general manager Jon Daniels' recent acknowledgement that the ballclub wouldn't involve itself in a high-stakes pursuit seems to indicate that Lackey isn't even remotely realistic (Randy Youngman, Orange County Register)
● Texas is working under an operating budget approved by the commissioner's office and must receive Bud Selig's approval in order to exceed that budget, prompting one Rangers executive to exclaim, "We have to call Bud to go to lunch" (Joel Sherman, New York Post)
● The Rangers are among a group of no fewer than eight teams who have called free agent outfielder Mark DeRosa (Jon Heyman, SI.com)
Reader Comments (11)
Vizquel: Start spreadin' the news..... New York... New YOOOORRRRRRK
DeRosa: Well there goes my plan of the Rangers sitting in the weeds and waiting until DeRosa is the last bat standing. It appears the economic condition has folks valuing value (production per dollar spent) over total production.
Love DeRosa. Would he be a good fit for the Rangers? Probably wants to much money, right?
I personally find Millwood more valuable than Bradley, especially considering Millwood's hot start the previous two seasons... so on that note I'm glad the Millwood for Bradley trade is a no go. If I'm the Rangers, I target a guy like Nick Johnson. Granted he can't play anywhere in the field except first, but his bat has been pretty good when he's not dinged up. You could likely get him for a very reasonable price and then once he inevitably gets injured, you hope a young guy has stepped up (MaxRam or Smoak)
No mas Vizquel? That makes me a sad panda. That leaves us with who as our utility man? Arias? Shoot me.
Vizquel was a super utility defender! well at least we had a chance to see him wear the rangers jersey. And would it be possible that in this life time the rangers could cash their prospects for someone like Zack Greinke or maybe King Hernandez?. And if there was a chance to see Guerrrero in the other side of the dugout in Arlington while the Angels were playing here would be nice, even if they had the chance to keep Byrd....and reading all the Cruz nonsense rumors I guess they really are desperate to ship away either Cruz or Murphy.
I like the idea of Lackey coming here and if the rumors are true that he would consider the Rangers, then maybe they could get a "home team" discount. I think he would possibly be a better option, signing him for 2-3 years if possible instead of taking a shot at Sheets. Lackey has proven healthy and is a good consistent pitcher. Maybe not an ace but a true #2 behind Millwood. Millwood, Lackey, Feldman would make for a reasonably decent front 3 in the rotation and allow the younger guys more time to grow into their roles. In 2011 maybe we have Lackey and Feldman (if he was more than a one year wonder) along with Holland, Hunter and Feliz as a rotation if all works out.
Glad to hear no to the Millwood for Bradley deal.
Best of luck to Vizquel, wish "higher-profile" wasn't so important to him as a utility player.
I don't know that "home team discounts" happen anymore... and certainly NOT enough to land Lackey unless we can get someone to choke on Millwood's contract.
Josh Hamilton needs to headline the trade for Greinke............
Per Jon Heyman, Texas is interested in Vlad. Well, okay then.
More dreaming for texaslifter...he comes out here with that every day...
anyone who values Millwood should be evaluated